Understanding the significance of personal bonding social capital for mental well-being of first-generation labour migrants: a cross-sectional study inthe Netherlands

Abstract

Purpose – The present study aims to contribute to the existing, yet still limited, research literature on the association between personal bonding social capital (PBSC) and mental well-being in older populations, with a specific focus on understanding this association in a population of first-generation labour migrants with a collectivistic cultural background, living in an individualistic country. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 119 Turkish first-generation labour migrants (64.7% male; age 65–87, M(SD) = 71.13(5.04) and 124 Dutch non-migrants (32.3% male, age 65–94, M(SD) = 71.9(5.32). Both samples filled out either an online or printed questionnaire measuring PBSC (PSCSE, Simons et al., 2020), and psychological, social and emotional well-being (MHF-SF, Lamers et al., 2011) and relevant demographic covariates. Findings – Regression analyses showed positive associations between PBSC and, respectively overall mental well-being and its subdimensions emotional, social and psychological well-being in both samples. Moderation analyses showed that these associations were significantly stronger for the Turkish older migrants. These findings suggest that the migrant sample relies more heavily on close-knit homogeneous social networks for socioemotional support and assistance than the non-migrants. Originality/value – Research on social capital and mental well-being of older migrants is limited. This study clarifies the importance of PBSC for the mental well-being of first-generation labour migrants, considering the combined challenges they face. The results provide direction for further research and the development of practical interventions to improve mental well-being of the rapidly growing and increasingly diverse older populations.